News

Farmers’ friend who will be sadly missed

THE farming community in the Cotswolds lost a well liked and respected friend and colleague with the death of Leslie Badger.

Prior to his work with the NFU, Leslie had served during the Second World War in the Royal Artillery.

He was wounded on two separate occasions. The first time was while serving in the Eighth Army in North Africa. After recovery he was posted to Normandy, where he was wounded for a second time.

On one of those occasions he met Florence, who was one of his nurses, and they later married and brought up two children in Bourton-onthe- Hill, where they played a full part in the community for most of their married life.

Post-war, Leslie returned to work at NFU Mutual in Stratford. In 1953 he was appointed group secretary of Moreton branch, subsequently adding Chipping Campden and eventually taking on the Winchcombe and Broadway branch.

Leslie retired in August 1985. Always interested in charitable work, he joined Rotary Club in 1965 soon after a local group was formed. In 1973 he became the local president and in 1980 went on to become district governor. He was instrumental in forming a link with a Rotary Club in France which continues to this day. His service to Rotary was recognised with the Paul Hallas Award.

Leslie’s sight deteriorated some time after he retired and when he lost Florence a few years later he moved to Oak Tree Mews in Moreton.